In August 2012, a 28 year old female plaintiff, a naturalized United State citizen of Moroccan origin and an adherent of the Muslim faith, brought this suit against Walt Disney Company in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The suit was brought under title VII of 42 U.S.C § 2000e (discrimination and harassment in employment on the basis of religion, national origin and color and failure to remedy and prevent harassment), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, etc. In this case, it is alleged that Disney discharged the plaintiff who worked as a hostess at a cafe in a complex operated by Disney because she complained about repeated ethnic and religious slurs from her colleagues and also wore a hijab for her sincere religious faith. The plaintiff asked for: (a) a declaration that Disney's actions constitute illegal harassment and discrimination; (b) an order enjoining Disney from enforcing its policy or practice of prohibiting employees who are adherents of the Muslim faith from wearing hijab while in positions involving interaction with customers unless such hijabs are concealed by a hat or other object; (c) training of Disney employees and managers regarding harassment and discrimination; and (d) damages.

The allegation states that the plaintiff began working as a hostess at the Storytellers Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, a part of Walt Disney complex in Anaheim, California. During her work, she suffered from repeated slurs, e.g. "terrorist", "camel", and "Kunta Kinte," the slave from the famous book Roots by Alex Haley. Her co-workers also mocked her by stating that Arabs are terrorists, that she speaks the terrorist language and that she was trained to make bombs. She repeatedly reported the harassment to her managers but they never took action.

In 2010, after two years of working at Disney, she began wearing a hijab permanently in accord with her religious beliefs. She asked her supervisors for permission, but they denied it since it would violate Disney's "look" policy. Disney suggested that she either (1) work in the rear of the restaurant where she would not be exposed to customers, or (2) wear several hats on top of her hijab. She refused and Disney discharged her from further employment.

On March 3, 2014, the parties submitted a joint stipulation to dismiss the case, and the court issued an order granting a stipulation to dismiss the case with prejudice.

Kowa Takata - 10/28/2014


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